Our Annual Parochial General Meeting
This meeting, which reports on activities during the past year will take place in church on Thursday 20th May at 7:30pm. You are welcome to attend, to social distancing rules will applied as recommended. The meeting will also be streamed for those who are unable to attend.
If you wish to vote please make sure that you are on our electoral role.
The agenda and other documents will be added soon.
Thank you.
United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors
Second Sunday after Easter
This service is live in church, with all the usual COVID restrictions, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online.Now the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.
Please continue to support our local Food back based at Clayton Baptist Church, especially as more and more people in the local area are struggling.
Please can you drop items off at Clayton Baptist Church. Alternatively if you bring your items to church on Sunday we will make sure that they get to the food bank.
Thank you.
On-line giving
Many of you give through the weekly church envelopes, which obviously is not an option at the moment. Others may feel they wish to make an extra donation towards the continual running costs of the church. If you would like to do so, an easy way in the current circumstances is click here and it will take you to use our on-line giving link.
Christmas donations
Some people like to make a donation to the work of the church in thanks giving at Christmas. If you would like to do so, an easy way in the current circumstances is to use the following link –
We are offering a brand new short act of worship especially suited for families. These will take place on the second Sunday of each month between 2:00 – 2:30pm in church.
The first of these new family services will be on the 13th September.
Booking will be essential via this link . Please book ONE ticket per family / bubble. Please give priority to families for this service.
At present we can’t share refreshments or sing, (though we can do actions), but we can enjoy being in church to worship our Heavenly Father.
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
All Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
All who made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.
The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used
All Most merciful God, we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins, heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Alleluia.
The following or another suitable hymn may be said or sung
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
One or more of Psalms 4, 91 and 134 may be used daily.
Or Sundays Psalm 104:1, 21-33, Monday Psalm 86, Tuesday Psalm 143, Wednesday Psalm 31:1-5, 19-end, Thursday Psalm 16, Friday Psalm 139:1-18, Saturday Psalm 91
One of the following short lessons or another suitable passage
Sunday: You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by your name; leave us not, O Lord our God. (Jeremiah 14.9)
Monday: Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)
Tuesday: Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30)
Wednesday: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:6,7)
Thursday: Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in the faith. (1 Peter 5.8, 9)
Friday: God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. (1 Thess 5:9,10)
Saturday: A sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest. (Hebrews 4:9-11a)
The following responsory may be said
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
All Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
All I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
All Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
All Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
All Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: ♦
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations ♦
and the glory of your people Israel.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
All Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy; may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace, and may your blessing be always upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven
The Conclusion
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
All for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
All for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
All so do we look for you, O Christ.
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
All Amen.
Common Worship: Daily Prayer is © Copyright Archbishops Council of the Church of England. Used by permission.
This Lent we are focussing on St John’s Gospel. It is a beautiful gospel with something for everyone – someone said it is “Deep enough for an elephant to swim and shallow enough for a child not to drown.”
Our Lent homegroups give the perfect opportunity to look at some of the great signs St John picks out to highlight who Jesus is and what he brings. Anyone is welcome to join the groups – choose whichever time suits you better. No prior experience or understanding is assumed, we’ll look at a passage together, aided by a simple study guide, and discuss our responses.
We have groups meeting in different homes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening. We also have a group meeting in church on Wednesday mornings, 11:15am followed by a soup lunch and a group meeting at Altham Church at 10:45 on Sundays.
Full details of venues are on the Lent leaflet available at church.
Dear Lord, Help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day.
Amen
